THE CREATOR

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this week to theatres from writer/director Gareth Edwards and 20th Century Studios is the future when they are all looking for THE CREATOR.

Joshua (John David Washington) is a happy man living on a remote tropical island with his love Maya (Gemma Chan). Expecting their first child, it is the calm of the island and the sound of the waves that keeps them happy. But this is the future and A.I. has become a serious issue and after a horrific incident in Los Angeles, the A.I. are being hunted by the hundreds. The military and their leaders are looking for Nirata, the one responsible for creating more of the A.I.

When it becomes clear that Joshua has a plan, Maya tries to escape the island with the military led by Colonel Howell (Allison Janney) closing in for destruction. Taking Joshua to Los Angeles, he now has the job of cleaning up the A.I. that are destroyed. He is then approached General Andrews (Ralph Ineson) and Howell wanting help in finding the location of the Nirmata and his chance to see Maya once again. They want the secret weapon they believe will control all A.I. and destroy the human race.

Who Joshua discovers is Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles), a young A.I. who knows where Maya is. During a fire fight, they are rescued by Harun (Ken Watanabe) who begins to see a connection between Joshua and Alphie but there is no time as Howell and bulldog McBride (Marc Menchaca) are not going to let them get away. Jumping from place to place, everyone is looking for elusive Nirmata.

It is up to Joshua and Alphie to stop the military from their continual destruction, the same destruction they blame on the A.I.’s.

Washington as Joshua is a man on a mission, but what mission might that be? In a world that has turned itself upside down, the question becomes who is the good guy and who should be feared? Joshua’s only goal in all of the goings on is to find his love Maya, but along the way he learns what the truths are and his goal is to once again protect love. I enjoyed Washington’s performance given that most of his time is spend running.

Voyles as Alphie is charming and probably smarter than everyone else around her. Although this character is filled with emotion, Alphie manages to overcome the urge to react to them in a way that is destructive. The youngling sees the best and worst the world has to offer and responds in kind. Voyles is captivating as Alphie and enjoyable to watch her take this role and make it her own.

Janney as Col. Howell is exactly what you would expect from a psycho military colonel who will use any manipulation possible to get results. She is twisted, hard and doesn’t mind shooting anything that gets in her way. Janney has the uncanny ability to choose characters that are multi-dimensional but this character has one goal – destruction.

Chan as Maya is Joshua’s love and spent her childhood being raised by A.I. She supports their cause and will do anything to help them. Chan knows a bit about A.I. acting as Mia in the 2012-18 series HUMANS. Menchaca as McBride is the mirror image of Col. Howell wanting to wreak havoc and destruction all in the name of ‘humanity’. Ineson as Andrews is the dark horse, almost literally, as we don’t really see his face but instead a hauntingly low growl of orders commanding the human military.

Shout out to Ken Watanabe as Harun as he continues to prove how his presence on screen is so powerful. Personally, I think his eyes show so much depth in the way his characters responds to love, caring, anger, distress and that becomes important in playing this particular role.

Other cast include Sturgill Simpson as Drew, Amar Chadha-Patel as Omni, Robbie Tann as Shipley, Michael Esper as Captain Cotton, Veronica Ngo as Kami, Ian Verdun as Daniels, Daniel Rodriguez as Hardwick, Rad Pereira as Lambert, Syd Skidmore as Bradbury, Karen Aldridge as Dr. Thankey and Teerwat Mulvilai as Boonmee.

Twentieth Century Studios brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to discover what other titles they have please visit www.20thcenturystudios.com.

THE CREATOR is a futuristic look at the complicated and destructive behavior driven by the fears of humanity toward their own creations. The concept and characters of the story, however, aren’t new. Watching the film, I can easily see the influences of STAR WARS (1977), THE GOLDEN CHILD (1986), INDEPENDENCE DAY (1996), A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (2001), AVATAR (2009), ELYSIUM (2013), EX MACHINA (2014), HUMANS (2015) and FINCH (2021) along with so many, many more.

It seems the film mainly shows off it’s ability to creative stunning visuals of machinery and its capability. There are some deep color and emotional filming of what is called ‘New Asia’ from villages to the temples that are very cool. The action sequences are just that, filled with action, chases, and weaponry.

The ‘human’ side of the story mainly comes from those fearful and angry carbon-based units who do not consider A.I.’s to be human at all. There ability to destroy is the main focus of everything that happens in the film. On the flip side are the A.I.’s who make it clear to Joshua what it is they truly want and it is embrace worthy.

Coming in at two hours and thirteen minutes, the ending is a little flat and predictable but it is a wild ride with a few twists and turns. The concept of love, relationships and fighting for what is right come out loud and clear.

In the end - humanity evolves!

PAW PATROL: The Mighty Movie

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from writer/director Cal Brunker, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures is the next chapter in the pup’s life with PAW PATROL: The Mighty Movie.

Sky (Mckena Grace) has always been an important part of the PAW Patrol and is loved by friends Ryder (Finn Lee-Epp), Chase (Christian Convery), Liberty (Marsai Marin), Rubble (Luxton Handspiker), Marshall (Christian Carrao), Rocky (Callum Shoniker) and Zuma (Nyla Parthipan). Lately however, she has been feeling a bit unappreciated and small.

What none of them know is that Vee Vance (Taraji P. Henson) is a scientist with a plan of her own. Out in space, she wants to pull in a meteor believing she will show everyone who is the greatest scientist of all. When things go horribly wrong, the PAW Patrol save Adventure City but lose their home base. In the street, they find a large glowing meteor and move it to their ship.

Later in the evening, Sky is awakened to the pulsing glow of the meteor and what happens next is amazing. A crystal gives Skye powers of flight and strength and she shares the news and other crystals with the rest of the PAW Patrol. Now suddenly each has their own superpower and can do more to help people than ever before.

Vee Vance is taken to jail where she meets defuncted Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo and his feline gang as the two decide how they can best the PAW Patrol. When a call for help comes out, Sky decides to take matters into her own hands as she tries to prove that she is has what it takes. What she learns is that realizing her worth and the friends who care for her are the greatest super power of all.

Other cast include Lil Rel Howery as Sam Stringer, Alan Kim as Nano, Brice Gonzalez as Tot, North West as Mini, Kim Roberts as Mayor Goodway, James Marsden as Hank and Kristen Bell as Janet.

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

Nickelodeon is named after the first five-cent movie theatres of the same name. Their programming includes such amazing animated series such as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Patrick Star Show, Rugrats and Monster High. Reaching preschoolers the shows include Bubble Guppies, Blue’s Clues & You and, of course, PAW Patrol. For more information go to www.nick.com/shows.

PAW Patrol first premiered on Nickelodeon in August of 2013 and it has been a smash since. Each of the characters has found relatability with children and has even secretly kept parents and grandparents entertained. My now eight-year-old granddaughter Jaycie came into the PAW Patrol world in 2017 and was absolutely thrilled to be seeing the film with her five-year-old cousin Jeremy. Their excitement resonated from the moment the screen lit up until the last frame and pup-howled at the very end. That is the power of the pup!

Currently, PAW Patrol airs in more than 170 countries reaching 350 million households and I know very few households around me that don’t have PAW patrol merchandise. Perhaps that is not what Nickelodeon and Paramount had imagined when the green light was given to PAW Patrol in 2013, but it is wonderful that PAW Patrol has had such tremendous success and reached so many children changing lives in the process.

It is so important that families feel that what children are watching is filled with the themes that we want for them to feel loved and empowered. That offers them the possibility to make changes in the lives of families and friends in wonderful ways. Doing the right thing is not always easy, as the PAW Patrol shows, but having good friends who support one another is absolutely fantastic!

The excitement that this group of pups brings to children is so wonderful but it is so much more. It teaches the kids about friendship. Loyalty, overcoming odds and standing up for what is right. It is a wonderful thing to have a children’s television show that embraces divert and has adventure. The friendship between Ryder, who believes his biggest job is to protect his pup friends is so very charming and heart-warming.

The support of Chase, Liberty, Rubble, Marshall, Rocky and Zuma for their friend Sky is exactly how I would hope the kids watching PAW Patrol would feel when they need their friends during life’s struggles and tough times. So, gather up your own litter of pups and prepare for epic adventure that brings the pup out in us all!

In the end – unleash your powers!

MY SAILOR, MY LOVE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this week from director Klaus Härö and Music Box Films is the story of raw emotion one more time with MY SAILOR, MY LOVE.

Howard (James Cosmo) is a retired sailor who is set in his ways. His daughter Grace (Catherine Walker) has been taking care of him as much as possible while trying to hold down a job and deal with her own marriage to Martin (Aidan O’Hare). Deciding to make a change, Grace hires Annie (Brid Brennan) as a housekeeper for Howard.

He is not at all pleased at being managed and within days manages to insult Annie and tries to make amends. Howard discovers that having Annie around has awaken him a bit. Spending time with Annie’s family and friends, Grace becomes angry herself and wants to put Annie in her place reminding that she is a housekeeper.

Seeing her father begin to enjoy being around people with laughter and a cheerful she hasn’t been privy to for ages, Grace wants to make it clear to Annie who she is dealing with. Howard and Annie have become more than just friends and its sets Grace on edge. So, when her father becomes ill, Grace uses that as a weapon to keep the two lovers apart. It becomes clear who the real problem is in all of it.

Walker as Grace is a woman with so many issues, they wouldn’t all fit on a magazine rack. Childhood trauma, feelings of jealousy, stressed out and stretched thin, a bit of martyrdom and a whole lot of rage are all wrapped up in this character. Walker doles it out in pieces at first but the steam in the kettle is about to blow. I enjoyed Walker’s portrayal but have been a huge fan since her portrayal of Francoise de Maintenon in the 2018 hit series VERSAILLES.

Cosmo as Howard is cantankerous and snappy with a family that either ignores him most of the time or smothers him all of the time. Living off the grid surrounded by green hills and water, he simply wants to be left alone. Cosmo gives us a look inside his life and home and it is a sad one, that is until Annie. His past is behind him and once again he experiences joy and Cosmo gives us that as well. Cheering for Howard became my thing watching the film and it is this actor’s portrayal that did it.

Brennan as Annie is just as lovely as she could possibly be. She wants to take the position of housekeeper to just be out in the world but certainly didn’t expect the likes of Howard. Once she gets past the grouchiness, Brennan’s Annie shows Howard the beauty still left in their elder lives. She is the breath of fresh air that Grace can not understand. Annie falls for Howard in all his faults and again, Grace can not comprehend it. Brennan is such a dear in this role and is exactly where she needs to be by the films end (have tissue).

Other cast includes Nora-Jane Noone as Kelly, Bob Kelly as Brian, Nova Farrelly as Belinda, Molly McCann as Alison, Carol O’Reilly as Suzy, Ciara Fallon as Melanie, Shane McCarthy as Alex, Shane G. Casey as Terry, Tara Flynn as Sarah and Tim Landers as Walter.

Music Box Films is the prestigious North American distributor of acclaimed international, independent, and documentary feature films. Recent releases include Eric Gravel’s Cesar nominated thrilling social drama FULL TIME and Rebecca Zlotowski’s OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN. Music Box Films also owns and operates Music Box Theatre, Chicago’s premier venue for independent and foreign films. For more of what they have to offer please go to www.musicboxfilms.com

MY SAILOR, MY LOVE has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction and Best Production Design by the Jussi Awards. It has won Best Feature Film by the Cleveland International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature by the Wisconsin Film Festival, and Audience Choice Award for International Film by the Chicago International Film Festival.

Härö says of his actors, “The cast has been an immense joy, from the moment the roles were confirmed and when we first went on set. I would often sit very close by to the actors and get to witness what goes into their work, which left me very impressed.” I couldn’t agree more in that this cast is so impressive.

This story grabs into almost every absolute human emotion in how we hurt one another and how deep and how long it is carried throughout life. The character of Grace is such a bundle of rawness and it takes an Annie-straw to break the camels back. It is not immediate but it is there and so painful to watch.

Howard has just as many secrets as his daughter Grace and he has chosen to hide it all his own way yet it is not new by any stretch. As much as Howard and Grace are annoyed by one another, it is the reason why they are frustrated that slowly boils to the surface. Annie is the unwitting catalyst to it all coming to a boiling point and for that I felt so sorry. On the flip side, it doesn’t change Annie’s feelings because she is based in love, acceptance and forgiveness – something the other two clearly aren’t familiar with.

Keeping the locations simple allow the viewer to get deep into the story without distraction. That and I’m a huge fan of simplicity when telling this kind of heartfelt story. I want to feel part of it all even thought I’m just a spying fly on the wall of it all. This is the story of love, pain and the trauma of both even if Howard and Grace don’t know it yet.

In the end – it is never too late!

She RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital from directors Kirk DeMicco, Faryn Pearl, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment comes the story about the teen struggles of RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN.

Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is an unusual 16-year-old teen finding her place in the city of Oceanside. Along with mother Agatha (Toni Collette), dad Arthur (Colman Domingo) and little brother Sam (Blue Chapman), the family is hiding an interesting secret – they are kraken’s living among humans.

Almost no one takes notice, accept a suspicious Gordon Lighthouse (Will Forte) and his trusty crab. The entire high school is excited about the upcoming high school prom except Ruby because Mom has said no. Her reason? Because she doesn’t want Ruby near the water which means she won’t be able to ask crush Connor (Jaboukie Young-White).

That when best friends Margot (Liza Koshy), Bliss (Ramona Young) and Trevin (Eduardo Franco) suggest that maybe she should, well, just go. Asking Connor is the next step but chaos happens and Ruby discovers that she is a very large kraken.

Never-before-met Uncle Brill (Sam Richardson) shows up telling Agatha that their mom wants to meet Ruby. When all the family secrets come out, Ruby decides to visit Grandmamah (Jane Fonda) and discovers she is the Warrior Queen of the Seven Seas and also learns about life under the sea.

She also meets Chelsea Van Der Zee (Annie Murphy), a mermaid who also has a story to tell and it involves a rivalry between the kraken and mermaids. Becoming sea-besties, Chelsea suggests that rift could be healed if they could only get ahold of a special trident.

When chaos breaks out, a kraken family bands together to save those they love in a place they call home!

Condor as Gillman gives animated voice to a very sweet, charming, quirky character. Ruby tries very hard to fit in and all seems to be going well, until it doesn’t. Learning that secrets can be painful, Ruby must come to terms with the land and sea and where she fits in between the two. My granddaughter loves Ruby!

Collette as Agatha is a very ambitious real estate mom who keeps the family together. Keeping Ruby safe has been her goal but when secrets start to come out, she has no choice but to come clean. Collette gives the voice of Agatha the same voice I heard in my head when my kids were teens. Trying to stay one step ahead is exhausting but Agatha pulls it off nicely.

Fonda as Grandmamah (accent on the ‘mah’ if you please) is hilarious as the Queen Kraken. She is thrilled to see Ruby and does what she can to show her that side of the family. Ruby believed she was the only one with mom issues, it’s good to see that not only does mom-issues run in the family but so does solidarity.

Murphy as the wicked Chelsea came along to show Ruby what she was missing under the sea and all the fun there was to be had. Of course, her intentions are anything but fun! Richardson as Uncle Brill is that Uncle, we all have and love, no matter how much mess he makes because the laughter he causes is everything.

Domingo as dad Arthur and Chapman as little brother Sam are supportive of their family and even Sam can’t help but love the family he is in. Forte as Lighthouse is on a mission to show the town that the kraken’s do exist and he’s going to get himself one.

Young-White as Connor is a teen who is more like Ruby than Ruby realizes. He is also very sweet and I was rooting for him the whole time! Young, Franco and Koshy as her loving friends Bliss, Trevin, and Margot love their very exclusive group but also find themselves expanding their world.

Other vocal cast include Nicole Byer as Janice, Echo Kellum as Doug, Juju Green as the Gym teacher and Jordan Matter as School Principal.

DreamWorks Animation brings amazing, animated entertainment to films, television specials and series for the young and young at heart audiences around the world. For more of what they have to offer please visit http://www.dreamworksanimation.com.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has an amazing film to their library. There are films of every genre available from scary to drama to family films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.uphe.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes, Super Sea Girl Besties, Make Your Own Aquarium and so much more!

RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN is an awesomely wonderful (my granddaughter Jaycie’s words) film. It grabs colorfully onto the themes of love, family, friendship, being a teen, being a different kind of teen, acceptance, and a fierce loyalty to protect all of the above.

DreamWorks has done it again creating a visually stunning animated story but, and let’s be honest, I would expect nothing less from the studio. Always in the forefront of animation, the studio also remembers what is important to fans who love their work. Creativity, a solid story, characters that become iconic and memorable, Ruby Gillman can be added to that long list.

Family film does not even begin to describe RUBY GILLMAN, TEENAGE KRAKEN. It just has everything needed to bring the family together with the tub of popcorn for a really good time. Prepare to laugh, awwww, cheer, smile and embrace Ruby Gillman into the family and your own home entertainment library.

In the end – discover the hero just beneath the surface!

Return to the Beginning with INSIDIOUS: The Red Door on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from director Patrick Wilson and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the next installment of a horror that is following a family with INSIDIOUS: The Red Door.

It has been nine years since the Lambert’s household was dealing with the terror that struck their home and family. Neither Josh (Patrick Wilson) or his son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) remember what happened but that hasn’t stopped the trauma. Since then, Josh and Renai (Rose Byrne) are divorced and the death of his mother Lorraine has caused even more strain.

Josh’s relationship with Dalton just doesn’t seem to work but dad wants to take Dalton to college. Thinking it would be an opportunity for them to bond, father and son only end their trip with an argument. Dalton is an art major and in college he gets the chance to really create. He also meets a new friend, Chris (Sinclair Daniel) who is funny and has a way with people.

Once home, Josh decides to get help for what is happening to him, especially when a mysterious man seems to be haunting him. In the meantime, Dalton begins his art class and a dark and intense drawing starts to cause him to see things as well. Both father and son do not realize that they are experiencing the same thing.

Chris figures out what is happening to Dalton and shares her suspicions. She becomes involved more and more as her life is in danger as well. Once Renai explains to Josh what she knows about it all, it is time for Josh and Dalton to stop ‘the Further’ from becoming part of their lives again.

They must find a way to close the red door!

Wilson as Josh cannot seem to figure out what is happening to him. The losses in his life have become part of the problem yet there is something nagging at him. There is something deep pushing him and it is running his life. So much so that he has little to do with a family he once held so dear. Wilson hasn’t skipped a beat portraying Josh and taking on the director’s role, he knows how the story needs to come together and it works really, really well.

Simpkins is back as the college bound Josh who, if he only really talked to his dad, would see that both are experiencing the same thing. When he realizes his art is telling him what is about to happen, it is also telling him about a past he has forgotten and a way to stop more pain from his family. It is great to see Simpkins come back so many years later to take the role once again and see where it could go.

Daniel as Chris begins to see what her new friend is going through and wants to help. It is her curiosity that leads to a YouTube video explaining what Dalton is experiencing. Chris has a way about her and Daniel makes it look smooth as silk, even when she is caught in it herself.

Byrne is back as Renai and she has her own story to tell. Hoping that the lid was put on the events nine years ago, there comes a point when the lid has to come off if she is to save both the man she truly cares about and her son. Byrne’s role is not a large but it is important to the story.

Other cast include Hiam Abbass as Profressor Armagan, Andrew Astor as Foster Lambert, Juliana Davies as Kali, Steve Coulter as Carl, Peter Dager as Nick, Justin Sturgis as Alec, Leigh Whannell as Specs, Angus Sampson as Tucker, Lin Shaye as Elise Rainier and Joseph Bishara as the Lipstick-Face Demon.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment encompasses motion picture production for television, digital content and theater releases. The studios include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films and Sony Picture Classics. To see what is coming to theaters and to home entertainment please visit www.sonypictures.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Special Features include Past, Present, Further and A Possessed Director.

INSIDIOUS: The Red Door takes one more look at what could happen when you keep secrets in the family. Wilson knew exactly what he was signing up for when deciding to direct as well as reprise his role as Josh. The equal amount of time to both Josh and Dalton’s journey is done very well.

I will admit that I jumped at least twice and hollered at least three times and that’s how I know this film is good. It is not filled with gore and such but instead it reaches into the part of us that loves tension and can’t wait to be scared. I spent more time with popcorn on the outer reaches of my mouth than actually made it in and the circle of popcorn that made it to the floor when I jumped!

If you are looking to revisit the Lambert family, see where they are now and how it will all turn out, then grab a bunch of scary film fans, turn out the lights and make it a night to remember.

In the end – it ends were it all began!

PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital from director and award-winning photographer Fabrizio Ferri and VMI Worldwide is a look at one of the most photographed women with PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN.

This documentary, narrated by Charles Dance, looks at the life of an iconic queen and her legacy. This is a perspective on how she came to be so visually represented throughout her long and memorable reign. Referred to as a stable for in the lives of millions, people from all over the world have been affected by her presence. Her decades long presence in the life of her own subjects, they share their true feelings for the monarch.

But her pictures have always stood out beginning with the most prestigious with her first royal portrait after becoming queen. Equally stunning are photographs of the crowds on that very same day and the pride felt in their royal traditions.

Emma Blau, photographic artist and curator/co-owner of Camera Press, has a dedicated archive of the Queen. Photographers do their best to be original in their portrayal of her majesty. Blau makes her case in how photographing the queen from the first has brought about so many changes in the way a portrait is done.

John Swannell is one of the photographers of the Queen and recalls his encounter as the second big occasion to photograph the new queen was her wedding to Prince Phillip. Brian Aris was invited by the palace to do royal photographs as well. Meeting and photographing the Queen became quite a nervous experience, as one would expect.

Even Canadian singer and performer Brian Adams took photos of the Queen in 2004. What came of it is that one of his photos became the center of a Canadian postage stamp and her majesty loved it.

Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Valentino, believes the Queen’s expressiveness spoke louder than words. Her clothing does the same thing and shows through photographs. Vivid colors and pastels become a staple of photographing the Queen.

Photographer Julian Calder speaks about the lasting images of the photographs taken at Balmoral. His photos of the queen near a river in her robes creates stunning and images that are unique and timeless.

Having informal photographs of the Queen, it shows a different aspect and perspective of her life. Photos with her children, family, husband and her beloved corgis brings about a sense of relatability to those who view them.

David Montgomery came to England in the 1960s and stays busy with his work. Getting his chance to photograph the queen, at first, he declines. After speaking with his wife, he agrees to take the pictures. He begins his work photographing the queen at Balmoral in Scotland in, what would be considered, a relaxed atmosphere. Fireside, corgis and her beloved horses all become prominent in these photographs. It is an amazing experience that he holds very dear.

Jason Bell is the photographer at the 2013 christening of her great-grandson Prince George. Bell did his research of previous portraits of the royal family. He gets to observe the family life of the royals as they come together for the photograph.

Chris Levine, an artist, uses light and laser to create his art. The queen sat for a holographic portrait. Explaining the process in detail is complicated, yet at one point Levine feels someone behind him and it is the queen herself. As an avid photographer herself, her interest in what is happening becomes very clear.

The queen has represented so much to the people and the biggest word to describe feelings is – respect. England is a complicated country, as most countries are, but the feelings toward the queen are clear, she is a beloved monarch.

Even after her death, this documentary is a beautiful, stunning and colorful reminder of a woman who spent her life in service, caring for a family and became an unwavering symbol during times of distress as well as joy.

Other voices in the documentary are Isabella Rossellini and Susan Sarandon.

VMI Productions started off with BLOOD OF REDEMPTION, starring Dolph Lundgren and Vinnie Jones (2012), and WICKED BLOOD, starring Sean Bean, Abigail Breslin, and James Purefoy (2014), which were both distributed and co-produced by Entertainment One in North America. VMI’s third film, WAR PIGS, starring Mickey Rourke and Luke Goss (2015), was released theatrically by Cinedigm in the US as part of a multi-picture output deal with Cinedigm for North American distribution for in-house productions. For more information, please visit http://www.vmiworldwide.com/

As a result of this evolution, VMI possesses the ability and desire to board the right project, at any stage of development, and is capable of attaching cast and/or financing as well as finding the right distribution partners for a film. VMI seeks to establish long-term working relationships with its production partners.

PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN is a stunning look through photography and those who created the images, the life of England’s monarch. Charles Dance is a voice worth listening to in every performance he has done but more so throughout this documentary. He reads diaries, stories and ideas on photography of those who had the honor of photographing her majesty.

Director Ferri says, “Elisabeth II has, over the years, worked with great photographers from whom she has commissioned the portraits used to build, communicate and manage her image. Paola Calvetti, author of the book Elisabetta II. Ritratto di Regina, asked me to direct and do the photography for the film PORTRAIT OF THE QUEEN written by her. Paola’s intuition to take an unprecedented point of view and make a film about the collaboration between Queen Elizabeth II and the great photographers in compelling and winning. I started working on it with care and attention and began imagining a point of view that was also unprecedented in order to turn the book into a film.”

I enjoyed having Dance read and narrate the documentary as well as perspectives from Rossellini and Sarandon on their feelings towards not only being photographed but meeting the Queen. Each photographer brings something wonderful to this story and its telling of an icon while being in her presence. Each of them seems to tell of her interest in what they were doing and, having an opinion on their artistry.

For myself, I have always admired Queen Elizabeth II as a strong figure and personable in her own gracious way. From deaths, wars, family tragedy, political struggles, and the change in times – she made her own way through each. I never once saw in photographs or reels any sign of a woman overcome but it all. Instead, I saw a woman who showed how to make it through it all.

Of course, that is the image the palace wanted but it does not mean it wasn’t who she was and I’d prefer to believe that her gift was just that – a woman of strength and dignity who just happened to also wear a crown.

 

SPIDER-MAN: Across the Spider-Verse Webs on Bluray

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) is Spider-Woman and lives on Earth-65. Dad and police Cpt. George Stacy (Shea Whigham) has no idea what his daughter has been doing. She is still dealing with the death of her friend Peter Parker. Now, Gwen meets Vulture and is surprised when Miguel (Oscar Isaac) and Jess (Issa Rae) portal in to help her. While it is happening, Capt. Stacy corners Spider-Woman and his life is about to change as Miguel helps when Gwen needed it the most.

On Earth-1610, Miles Morales (Hameik Moore) is now dealing with his own problems coming from the Spot (Jason Schwartzman). The Spot blames Miles for everything in his life and through their spidey-match. When Gwen reconnects with Miles, they team up with Spider-Man Pavitr (Karan Soni) and Hobie Brown (Daniel Kaluuya). The Spot and Miles share a vision that is going to hurt people and the collider that allows this travel is falling apart.

Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) meets Miles, Gwen, Hobie and Miguel as they piece together what is happening with these canon events. So much so that the history of all the Spiders is causing one thing to happen to another in different times and eventually Peter Parker.

In New York, the city is being overrun by crime and the Spidey-Society find one another to try, it is Miles that is lost and Gwen assembles a team to find him because that is what the Spidey-Society does!

Steinfeld gives her Spider-Woman a strength and attitude that is needed to be amazing for this role. I appreciate what she is doing here and my granddaughter loves the character of Gwen. Whigham as George is dealing with his police work and the shock that follows in his family because of it.

Moore as Miles is a saucy teen who is dealing with the duality of life. One is being Miles the kid who goes to school and has friends etc., the other is being the and only Spider-Man. Moore gives his character the ease of a kid who really should be full of intensity. Isaac as Miguel and Rae as Jess make an amazing animated pair with their mixture of wit and making sure that working together is the most important thing.

Soni as Pavitr has a strong sense of responsibilities of being Spider-Man. It is fantastic to see the representation of this character and done so well by Soni. Kaluuya as Hobie knows what must be done because none of them are going to allow the bad guys to get away with universal craziness.

Schwartzman has moments of wit and sarcasm until he remembers why he is the way he is and then frustration turns to anger towards Spider-Man. Johnson as Parker has moved on with his life and once the Spider-Society comes to him, his days of being Spider-Man are before him.

Other cast includes Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis, Greta Lee as Lyla, Jorma Taccone as Vulture, Jharrel Jermone as Prowler. Brian Tyree Henry as Jeff Morales, Lauren Velez as Rio Morales.

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Bonus Material includes Obscure Spiders and Easter Eggs, Deleted Scene: Miguel Calling, I’mma Do My Own Thing” Interdimensional Destiny, Across the Worlds: Designing New Dimensions, Designing Spiders and Spots, Scratches, Scores and the Music of the Multiverse, Escape from Spider-Society, Across the Comics-Verse, Lyric Videos, and Film Commentary.

Also included on DVD are Creating the Ultimate Spider-Man Movie, Raising a Hero and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Cast.

SPIDER-MAN: Across the Spider-Verse is visually stunning which adds such a richness in and of itself. The story is a complex one and filled with twists and turns which is what makes the universe jumps so interesting.

When over 100 animators come together to create a hand drawn affected through computer animation, well, there is going to be eye candy for all. It is such a wild ride through every ‘frame’ of this film and I enjoyed it front start to finish.

Knowing that this is my son’s universe of comics, I asked if he felt it was close to the source material and his face had a big grin. He informed me that seeing it brought him back to a time when he spent hours reading comic books. That tells me the film has truly made him happy. Isn’t that what it is all about? 

In the end – they must band together across the spider-verse!